Metabolism apparatus

ABSTRACT

A simple and economical apparatus to demonstrate the metabolism of living things is provided, manufactured of readily massproduced plastic elements involving basically a concentricity of members wherein such members hold respective entities for measuring metabolism of small creatures.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Morton E. Frank 2,484,217 10/1949 Gardenier 128/2.07 7 Deer Park, N.Y. 2,687,128 8/1954 Fleisch 128/2.07 [21] Appl. N0. 758,407 2,704,544 3/1955 Ryan 128/214UX [22] Filed Sept. 9, 1968 2,970,041 1/1961 Burlis et al 128/2.07X [4S] Patented June 1, 1971 3,045,665 7/1962 Moyat 128/2.07 I73] Assignee S01 Lesh 3,324,848 6/1967 Domeier etal. 128/2.08 New y Park FOREIGN PATENTS 672,255 2/1939 Germany 128/233 Primary Examiner--Richard A. Gaudet 1 LlsMfiPPrikATUs Assistant ExaminerKyle L. Howell 1 Claim, 4 Drawlllg Flgs- AttorneyZalkind and Home s21 us. CI. 08/207, 23/254 [51] 1111. C1 A611) 5/00 0 imple and economical apparatus to demon- 2- 8, 2 256 strate the metabolism of living things is provided, manufactured of readily mass-produced plastic elements involving [56] Reerences C'ted basically a concentricity of members wherein such members UNITED STATES PATENTS hold respective entities for measuring metabolism of small 2,470,943 5/1949 Page 128/214X creatures.

' PATENIEI] JUN 1 l97l INVENTOR MORTON E. FRANK ATTORNEY METABOLISM APPARATUS Briefly, the invention comprises injection-molded members comprising a tubular housing to be disposed with its axis generally horizontaLA living organism, e.g., a snail, is placed inside a perforate tube coaxially disposed in the housing there being potassium hydroxide, or Ascarite, in the housing as an absorber of carbon dioxide. A cap closes the housing and is fitted with a calibrated capillary tube having a drop of colored water to form a seal at its outer end. As the organism utilizes oxygen, carbon dioxide thus produced will be absorbed, lowering the pressure in the housing and causing the water drop in the capillary tube to move inwardly toward the housing. Thus, the rate of metabolism is measureable as the distance moved by the water drop in a unit of time.

A detailed description of the invention now follows in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross'section of a horizontally disposed housing and certain other members showing the construction of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of one end of the construction;

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of the other end of the construction; and

FIG. 4 is a full exterior view of the assembled apparatus, in plan.

Referring to the drawing, particularly, FIG. 1, the construction utilizes a generally cylindrical housing l closed at one end by a stabilizing end plate 14 having a generally linear bottom edge 17 (FIG; 2) which may be permanently bonded to the housing and serves to close and seal the respective end and to restrain the housing from rolling when placed horizontally on a table surface. The other end of the housing is sealingly closed by a removable cap 20 having a nipple 23 extending therefrom for connection via rubber hose member 26 to a calibrated capillary tube 30.

The capillary tube may be 8 to inches long and have a bore of one-sixteenth inch to one-eighth inch, being marked in any desired units of length, e.g., 1 through 9 as shown.

Plate 14 and cap are provided with respective support skirts 33 and 36 on which is telescoped the ends of a perforate or foraminous cylinder 40 of any suitable type to permit free flow of carbon dioxide therethrough from an organism carried therein, as the organism consumes oxygen normally present in the housing.

In use, a living organism, for example, an insect, a snail, germinating seed, etc., is placed in tube 40 and a quantity of gasabsorbing material 45 such as potassium hydroxide or Ascarite is placed in housing 10, the parts being then assembled. This material absorbs carbon dioxide exuded by the organism and thus effects a lowering of pressure in the housing.

The unit being assembled, a drop of colored water 48 is placed in the capillary bore and its position with respect to the calibrations is noted. As the organism consumes oxygen the carbon dioxide exuded is absorbed by the Ascarite and the pressure drop in the housing causes the colored water drop to move inwardly in the direction of the arrow, FIG. 4, to a new position in the bore. The distance moved can be recorded as a function of time to indicate the metabolic rate, as compared with a suitable chart for conversion to desired units.

All members are made of molded plastic, and tube 40 is considered disposable to eliminate the need for cleaning.

From the above description, it will be apparent that an exceedingly simple and economical apparatus is provided for demonstrating metabolism and measuring metabolic rate. Such an apparatus is highly desirable for use in science classes and in science lectures. The simplicity of the elements, lending themselves to mass production manufacture, and effecting a combination wherein students can actually see into the apparatus by virtue of transparent plastics, are obvious advantages. Further, the necessity of cleaning is minimized by providing a disposable foraminous tube for holding the specimen.

lclaim:

1. An apparatus for demonstrating metabolism and measuring metabolic rate comprising ahousing having a specimen support means therein and a carbon dioxide absorbing material in said housing; means for sealing said housing; and a calibrated capillary tube connected to communicate with the interior of said housing and having a drop of liquid visibly movable therein as oxygen is consumed in said housing, wherein the extent of movement corresponds to extent of oxygen consumption; said housing being generally cylindrical and having an end closure plate with a straight portion to prevent rolling when said housing is placed on its side, said plate having a skirt extending inwardly in said housing; a closure cap for said housing, said housing being sealed by said end plate and said cap; said cap having a skirt extending inwardly in said housing; said specimen support means comprising said skirts and further comprising a foraminous tube having respective ends telescopically carried on said skirts. 

